Page 66 of Broken Boundaries

“Can I have a kiss? Just one. I promise it won’t mean anything.”

That’s a lie, and we both know it. It’ll mean something to me. But I can’t say no to this woman. I know I shouldn’t do this. It only adds more hope and complications to our situation.

“One kiss,” I say as though I’m trying to tell myself.

She nods.

I swallow hard as I move my hand up to her cheek and back through her curls until I’m cradling her head in my hand. Then, I pull her close. I hesitate only slightly before my lips land on hers.

I could’ve gone with a quick peck. It might have been easier to walk away after that. But, no. I can’t half-ass anything. If I’m only going to get one kiss, it’s gonna be the best damn kiss I can give her.

She makes it easy, melting into me, letting me take whatever I want.

Her lips part, and I press my tongue into her mouth. She meets me stroke for stroke. Kissing her feels like an out-of-body experience. Like this is where I’m meant to be.

She lets out a breathy moan, which sends a shock straight through me, bringing me back to reality. I drop my hand from her head and slowly separate myself from her.

Her eyes take several seconds to reopen, and when they finally fall on me, the lust in them is overwhelming.

I shouldn’t have kissed her. I was doing so well staying away, pretending like that first kiss never happened. And now, because of my inability to say no to her, I’m going to have to start all over again.

“I…” I start to say something, but nothing seems appropriate.

She swallows and squares her shoulders. “Thank you. That might be the best gift I’ve ever gotten.”

She turns from me and starts collecting her things on the counter. I know she’s trying to make this not awkward between us, and I appreciate it more than she knows.

“Can I take the cake?” she asks.

“Oh, yeah. Let me get the lid.”

I grab the plastic lid from the other counter and seal it up for her.

“Are you going out tonight to celebrate?” I ask even though I don’t really want to know. It just makes this harder.

“Yeah. I’m meeting Jazz and a few of her friends at Roadside later. Dawson is taking me to dinner first.”

“So things are going well with you two?” I ask.

She shrugs noncommittally. “Yeah, I suppose. I mean, he knows I’m not trying to rush into anything. But he’s fun to hang out with.”

I want to ask what else she’s doing with Dawson but stop myself before I make everything worse. I saw her birth control. I’m not an idiot. They’re both young and attractive. Of course they’re doing other things.

“Good. That’s good. Well, happy birthday and have fun.”

I walk her to the door and open it for her.

“Brooks?”

“Hmm?”

She turns and looks at me. “Tell me not to go.”

Don’t go.

Don’t go.

Don’t go.